The community of Mulan was a trial site for the East-Kimberley Tjurabalan Community Participation Agreement in 2003. Since then, the Mulan has been involved in negotiating various Shared Responsibility Agreements (SRAs). The Mulan 'Economic Strength and Healthy Kids' SRA provides petrol bowsers that can dispense Opal fuel, which is non-sniffable substitute fuel. The new bowsers will provide for locals and tourists, as well as improving the health of local children. One of the features of the mutual obligations under this SRA is requirement that families ensure their childrens' faces are washed before attending school.

Shared Responsibility Agreements are agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of COAG and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For more information see 'Shared Responsibility Agreement' below.

Detailed Information:

Purpose

There are two motivations behind the provision of Opal fuel bowsers to the Mulan community. First, it will improve children's health by removing access to sniffable petrol fuel in the community. Second, the installation of fuel bowsers will allow the Mulan community to cater for tourists visiting nearby Lake Gregory (Paruku). It is hoped that the community will then provide arts and crafts, cultural tours, camping and bird watching services for tourists.

Shared Responsibilities

Under the SRA, the Commonwealth Government will provide funds of $216,588 towards the purchase of fuel bowsers.

The West Australian Government will provide regular health checks for trachoma (an eye disease), skin infections and worm infestations.

Families at Mulan agree to continue with previous initiatives, including ensuring that children shower and wash their faces on a regular basis, and that children attend school and creche on time. In addition, families agree to reduce rubbish around their homes. These responsibilities aim to improve children's health.

The Mulan community corporation will focus on the timely payment of rents to enable homes to be maintained and for waste removal to operate regularly.

The Mulan SRAs are administered by the Kununnura Indigenous Coordination Centre.

Outcomes:

According to ABC Online, the community received the stipulated petrol bowsers - one with diesel and the other with non-sniffable Opal fuel, in January 2006.